Does carrying a few extra lbs help in boxing? Recently we’ve seen “fat” boxers beating up the most in shape. Does being fat help in boxing?
Over the years we have seen many boxers / fighters that look out of shape. These look like the type of guys you would see in a local pub (bar) drinking all day and having a terrible diet. However why do we see so many of these type of athletes beating there “fit” counterparts?
One thing we can safely say is the best examples of this has been in the heavyweight division ( a division where there is no weight limit) That means if you don’t have to cut any weight. What many people assume is that body type = ability which isn’t the case. Let’s go through some examples of ‘fat’ fighters and explore the question does being fat help in boxing?
Andy Ruiz
Andy loves to eat sandwiches and snickers bars. Ruiz was a guest on the Joe Rogan podcast – he went through his typical diet which had Joe lost for words (which is rare) Here is the world champion and he doesn’t have a diet or nutrition program to follow. He famously destroyed Anthony Joshua and had him quit in the ring. However is there a limit to being fat? On the rematch he weighed a massive 283lbs (20 more than the first bout) He was slow and sluggish and Anthony Joshua won comfortably on points avoiding Ruiz.
Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury didn’t always look ‘fat’ as he was coming up he always looked in good shape but as his career progressed he got heavier and heavier. When Fury faced Klitschko he looked slightly overweight but nothing drastic. Post beating klitschko though and the layoff and issues he faced he ballooned up to almost 400lbs.
Since his return he has never been as slim as he was against klitschko but it has served him well as his style has changed and is a more come forward and pressure fighter as the rounds go on. Even with Tyson Fury’s weight he still moves faster than any other heavyweight and can comfortably go 12 rounds. Is he one of a kind? Can you imagine Anthony Joshua lumbering around flabby?
Butterbean
Eric Esch known to many people as ‘butterbean’ was a successful boxer (77 wins 10 losses) and semi successful MMA fighter (17 wins 10 losses) most remember him for his size, he never beat anyone of note but he had a very successful career which may have not been the case if he was a ‘normal size’ He competed at close to 380lbs only at 5ft 11.
George Foreman
Big George as he was known. The man now only known to many as the grill guy. Like Fury in his first stage of his career not fat, not flabby one bit. However, after 10 years out the ring on his return his body was a different shape. The strength was still there but so came the weight. However many would argue that Foreman was even better in his second coming to the sport. He is the oldest heavyweight champion (45)
Fedor Emelianenko
Again looks can be deceiving. Fedor might look pretty unassuming and by many peoples standards would be considered ‘fat’ However, Fedor was a beast. He beat everyone. In his prime he built up an incredible 25 win streak. Many consider Fedor to be one of the greatest fighters that ever lived. If he was jacked would he have been better? I would bet good money that his shape helped him survive the Randleslam. Which would have stopped 99% of fighters.
What we can assume is that you wont see many ‘fat’ lower weight guys and if you do they probably wont be doing very well. With heavyweights it just comes down to body types and what works with them, this will also help with taking punishment having almost a extra layer of protection.